Northwest Fishing Reports

*sigh* I had an expensive off-season having my Volvo-Penta V8 rebuilt over the winter. As you can probably imagine I want to make sure I break in the new motor properly. I know I'll get some speel from the boat shop but I thought I'd ask this cast of characters if they have any actual experience doing the same?

I've heard from car owners who were told to vary the speed (i.e. no cruise control, etc), avoid running at the high-end of the RPM range, and a wide range of miles comprising the break-in period. What's a wive's tale and what's reality with today's modern engines? And how do I translate miles in a car to hours in a boat?

I'll take any and all advice, thanks!!

Hi Johnny K,

Is the shop going to warranty the work they did? Are they reputable? Did you choose them because of the quality work they do and the fact they stand behind their work? I hope you answered yes to all of those because the "speel" they give you is the one and only one you need to follow.

I find it difficult to understand why anyone would solicit advice from a group of folks on the internet with regard to how best to break in their motor without knowing what our qualifications are for giving such advice. We all have our "opinions", and they will all vary.

I followed the advice given me by my mechanic - explicitly. I haven't had a single problem to date either. Was it because I followed my mechanic's advice? I don't know, but I sure trust what he told me, especially since I haven't had a single problem. The fact that my mechanic is a life-long Mercury mechanic helps, as is the fact he's not a twenty something right out of school. Not saying a twenty something couldn't give me good advice, but the "well seasoned" mechanic is going to have a lot more credibility in my eyes.

As long as you did your homework in selecting your repair shop, you should trust what they tell you to do regarding break in, and not what those of us here on the board think you should do. Remember, we don't have a single penny invested, nor at risk, in your motor.

If you need to track motor hours, then get an hour meter installed or buy a kit and install it yourself. I have one on both my boat motors. That way I can follow manufacturer recommended service intervals because most of them are based on hours used, not miles covered.

Good luck with your new motor!

Talk to Volvo. They should have a guide for breaking in engines.

A google search for Volvo Penta V8 engines might be helpful as well...

My father runs a Volvo Penta Turbo Diesel out of a SeaSport. You need to work it in slowly and not run it above a certain RPM in the mannual (I think it was 3800 for his engine). Just be careful and follow the manual and the pros that work on these engines for a living...I trust what they have to say...

Good info, thanks guys. I did take it to a reputable dealer/servicer in town and while they farmed out the motor work to reputable motor builder in town, I am sure they will stand behind their work and the break-in advice will be fine. The boat has an hour meter but I don't believe I have the owner's manual from the previous owner.

I was looking for advice based on others' past experience to be taken over and above their recommendations, rather than instead of. Some folks change their car oil more frequently than the common 3,000 interval, use only synthetic oils, or invest in a dashboard Jesus. And, since they might be driving cars with over 200,000 miles they are the people I tend to listen to more than Mr. Jiffy Lube.

You may have seen a thread I started last fall as I was troubleshooting a stuttering engine. I got some good advice then but it turned out to be a crack in the block we couldn't see until we got the heads off. Just looking for more of the same good advice and trying to protect my latest $5000 investment. I built websites all winter until my fingers were bloody stumps and I actually got used to 3-4 hours of sleep/night, and this motor better be around to pull my grandkids, by golly!

If they say to take it easy for 10 hours I'll probably go 20, it's a good excuse to do some light cruising from fishing hole to fishing hole.